Smoke is a 2025 American crime drama miniseries created by Dennis Lehane, inspired by the true-crime podcast Firebug. The series is set to premiere exclusively on Apple TV+ on June 27, 2025.
The story follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen (played by Taron Egerton) and police detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett) as they work together to track down two serial arsonists terrorizing the Pacific Northwest.
This dark and intense show explores obsession, justice, and the emotional cost of investigating dangerous criminals. The series also stars Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Greg Kinnear, and John Leguizamo, and features an original song by Thom Yorke.
Rated TV-MA, Smoke contains mature content that may not be appropriate for teen audiences.
Smoke Age Rating
Smoke is rated TV-MA for strong language, violence, and mature themes. Below is a spoiler-free guide to the series’ content to help parents make informed decisions.
Violence & Peril
The series contains scenes involving arson, dangerous fires, and their aftermath. Some episodes show burned victims or crime scenes with disturbing results. While not excessively graphic, the tension is high, and the fire-related violence can be upsetting. There are also moments of physical assault and intense confrontations.
Language
Frequent use of strong language, including the F-word and other profanity, occurs throughout the series. The dialogue reflects the stress, urgency, and danger in the investigators’ world.
Mature Themes
Smoke explores serious and emotionally heavy topics, including mental health struggles, obsession, addiction, and moral ambiguity in law enforcement. The tone is dark and often intense, with characters facing personal and professional trauma.
Is Smoke Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–13: Not suitable. The show’s mature themes, intense language, and fire-related violence make it inappropriate for younger teens or preteens.
Ages 14–17: Not recommended for most. Although older, mature teens may handle the series’ content, its emotional weight, realistic violence, and language are better suited to adult viewers.
Smoke is crafted for adult audiences who can understand its complex characters and dark subject matter. It is not designed for general teen viewing.
What Parents Can Do
Preview First: Watch the first episode to see if the tone and themes are something your teen can handle emotionally.
Talk About Real-World Context: If your teen watches it, have a conversation about arson, mental health, and how crime stories can affect people emotionally.
Consider Alternatives: For teens interested in crime stories, consider more age-appropriate mysteries or detective dramas with a lighter tone.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Smoke?
A: The series is rated TV-MA for violence, language, and mature themes.
Q: Is Smoke appropriate for teenagers?
A: No. The content is best suited for adults due to its intense subject matter and strong language.
Q: Does the show have graphic violence?
A: It includes intense fire scenes and disturbing outcomes, but graphic content is not the main focus.
Q: Is there sexual content in Smoke?
A: There are mature themes, but no explicit sexual content has been confirmed at this time.
Q: Where can I watch Smoke?
A: Smoke will be available exclusively on Apple TV+ starting June 27, 2025.